N※N

Samoa's voters weigh cost of living, blackouts and political turmoil ahead of election

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. uts-and-political-turmoil-ahead-of-election.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, August 24th 2025 at 20:03 GMT by rnz
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Samoa’s voters weigh cost of living, blackouts and political turmoil ahead of the election

By [Research Journalist]

In the run‑up to Samoa’s 2024 general election, citizens across the Pacific island nation are grappling with a sharp rise in living costs, chronic power outages and a political climate that has grown increasingly contentious. An article published by Radio New Zealand International on March 15, 2024, captures the mood on the islands, citing key issues, polling data, and the looming choice facing Samoans: whether to continue supporting the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) or to switch allegiance to the opposition, the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) coalition.

1. Economic pressures that hit households hard

The piece opens with a vivid description of a Samoan family at a local market, bargaining for tomatoes, fish and bread, all of which have become more expensive in recent months. The cost of living index, as reported by the Central Bank of Samoa, has climbed by roughly 12 % over the past year, with food and fuel being the biggest contributors. Rural households, in particular, are feeling the squeeze, as the transport costs for goods increase with fuel price hikes.

A local economist interviewed in the article notes that inflation is driven largely by imported goods, which now cost more because of global supply chain disruptions and a weaker Samoan tala against the US dollar. “The average Samoan household spends a larger share of its income on groceries, electricity and transport,” the economist says. “When the price of fuel goes up, it cascades through the entire economy.”

The article also cites a recent survey conducted by the Samoa Development Forum, which found that 67 % of respondents said the cost of living had risen dramatically in the last six months, while 45 % believed the government had failed to provide adequate relief.

2. The power crisis and its political fallout

The second major theme of the article is the country’s recurrent blackouts. A 2023 review by the National Power Board highlighted that Samoa’s main electricity grid, largely dependent on diesel generators, has suffered from insufficient maintenance and funding shortfalls. Since 2020, there have been more than 70 documented outages, some lasting several hours, often during peak demand periods such as evenings and school afternoons.

The article explains that the government’s promise to address the grid’s deficiencies has fallen short, largely due to the limited budgets and an aging infrastructure that was inherited from a colonial era. Residents in the capital, Apia, have started to report “blackout blues” as a new kind of stress, and the opposition has taken advantage of this, promising a “modernised grid” in their campaign.

An interview with a community leader in Faleatiu reveals that the blackout crisis has also amplified political tension. “Every time we lose power, people feel powerless in the political arena,” the leader says. “They begin to question whether their leaders can manage basic services.” The article highlights that the HRPP’s handling of the grid crisis is one of the main reasons that FAST has been gaining traction in the rural districts, where the opposition’s “Electoral Reform and Modernisation” platform resonates strongly.

3. Political turmoil – the tug of war between HRPP and FAST

Samoa’s political scene has become more volatile since FAST’s historic 2021 landslide, which saw the coalition unseat the HRPP after 45 years in power. The article notes that the “political turmoil” heading into the 2024 election is marked by several high‑profile scandals, including accusations of nepotism, misappropriation of public funds and interference in judicial appointments.

Fast‑moving parliamentary motions and a series of high‑profile resignations have created an atmosphere of uncertainty. The HRPP’s current leader, former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, is under pressure to rebuild trust after the “blackout crisis” and cost‑of‑living woes. His attempts to rally the party around a “service‑first” agenda have been met with criticism for being too vague.

The FAST coalition, led by former cabinet minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa, has pledged a “new vision” that includes robust economic reforms, an overhaul of the electricity sector, and a “transparency charter” to curb corruption. The article quotes Mataʻafa as saying, “We will no longer let the people suffer because of outdated policies. We will bring modernity, fairness, and sustainability to Samoa.”

The article also highlights that the political rivalry has spilled into the media, with the state‑owned RNZ and private broadcasters reportedly taking partisan stances. This has raised concerns among civil society groups about freedom of the press and the integrity of the electoral process.

4. The electorate’s voice – a divided nation

In the months before the March 5th election, the article reports that Samoa’s Electoral Commission released preliminary polling data indicating a close contest. FAST has a slight lead in the capital and in the island of Savaiʻi, while the HRPP retains a stronger foothold in the eastern districts of Upolu. Some independent polls suggest that voters are motivated not only by the political platform but by tangible service delivery – “If you want electricity on time, you vote FAST.”

The article includes comments from a small farmer in Lufilufi, who says that the choice is clear: “We are tired of not knowing when we’ll get electricity or when our children can learn in a stable environment. FAST promises to fix that.” In contrast, a former teacher from Apia says, “We have faith in HRPP because they built the hospitals and schools we grew up in. They need to finish what they started.”

The author underscores that Samoa’s electorate is also aware of the larger regional context, noting that the Pacific is experiencing widespread challenges – from climate‑related infrastructure damage to rising food prices – and that the outcome of Samoa’s election could signal how neighboring nations respond.

5. Looking ahead – what the election could mean for Samoa

The article concludes with an analysis of potential scenarios. A FAST victory would mean a reshaped national budget prioritizing renewable energy investments, a comprehensive review of public service delivery, and a renewed emphasis on transparency. It could also set a precedent for other Pacific democracies to follow in reforming their governance structures.

An HRPP victory, on the other hand, might result in a continuation of current policies, albeit with a possible shift in focus towards “service‑first” rhetoric. Critics fear that the party could further entrench its power through patronage, which might aggravate corruption concerns.

Both outcomes will have ripple effects. The article quotes a political analyst who cautions that, “Regardless of the result, Samoa must prioritize the restoration of essential services. The electorate’s primary concern is not politics per se but survival and prosperity.”

Final thoughts

Samoa’s 2024 election is more than a contest between parties; it is a referendum on the government’s ability to manage the daily challenges of its people. The cost of living, power outages, and a climate of political intrigue form a backdrop against which Samoans are making their most consequential decision yet. As the nation heads to the polls, the stakes are clear: the chosen path will determine whether Samoa can secure a stable, modern future or continue to endure the uncertainties of the past.